04 May, 2011 The Sino-Japanese War 1. How are the Chinese soldiers portrayed in these prints? The Japanese soldiers? In the prints, the Chinese soldiers are portrayed as short and chubby men while the Japanese soldiers as tall, lean and young men. In many of the prints, the Chinese are in despair and in shock in either form or way, shown by the gaping faces of the Chinese. In some photographs, the Chinese are also portrayed as Oriental and supernatural figures, such as a dragon. Meanwhile, unlike the Chinese, the Japanese are shown as victorious, valiant and courageous. While the two are both in battle, only the Chinese are hurt, while the Japanese are the ones taking over control.
2. Look at the weapons used by each side, are they different? How? Does this tell us anything about Japanese technological advancement? While the Japanese are using bayonets, the Chinese are still using swords for battle. While the Japanese were technologically advancing, borrowing the ideas of the Westerners, the Chinese were still utilizing old fashioned swords and spears. In "the War at Sea" section, the Japanese drive warships while the Chinese, rowboats made of wood. In the end, we can see the Chinese raising their hands in surrender, showing their defeat to the Japanese. 3. Why do sports often become symbolic battlegrounds between nations? Sports such as baseball and soccer are national sports that arouse nationalism among citizens. As such, it serves as a symbol for national strength, and many countries compete with one another to gain superiority. It becomes important to the people of a nation to win because winning or losing determines the spirit and nationalism of the citizens for the country. During the WorldCup season or the Olympics, the citizens of a country unite together, cheering their hearts out for their respective countries. The experience of witnessing their team beat another in the arena of sport tremendously increases ones self confidence and as an ego booster.
4. Is imperialism/colonialism simply about militarily and politically controlling another nation, or is it also about proving one’s self-perceived cultural superiority over another? I think imperialism/colonialism is about proving one's self-perceived cultural superiority over one another. For example, when the Japanese occupied Korea, they destroyed Korea's culture by forbidding the Koreans to speak their language and enforcing only Japanese to be spoken among the Koreans. In a way, the reason why Koreans were so heated up by the Japanese's actions was because they were destroying their culture, their language, their source that once tied them together. Without language, a nation falls apart and becomes subject to the imperialist power.
07 May, 2011 The Russo Japanese War 1. Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the heroics of war better? Yes, artistic renditions/photographs are able to depict the heroics of war better. Many heroes stand out by symbolic alterations: enlarging the character and placing him/her in the center. At almost all times, the heros have on broad smiles that represent their victory against their opponents. In the Throwing Off Asia III woodblock, the first photograph is of citizens waving, congratulating and welcoming the return of the heroes from battle. Just by the Japanese flags and the heat and cheer of the crowd, we are able to recognize them as heros. The capiton below says : "Tikoku Banzai!" - "Long Live the Empire!".
2. Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the horrors of war better? (Consider all photographs of war that you have seen, both historical and contemporary) When we look at pictures/photographs of foes and enemies, we can almost always see them depicted as weak, monster-like, horrendous and gruesome. Most of these artistic works are used as propaganda - to make seem one's country better than another by making significant changes to the characters.Yes, I believe that artistic renditions/photographs depict the horrors of war better than reality. What we see is overly exaggerated,making the defeat for the foes seem more pitiful and gruesome than what it actually is.
3. How does the medium affect the message? Can we say that, "[T]he medium is the message" Yes, the medium does affect the message. Most times, the government manipulates the message for propaganda usages. Sometimes, cartoons or paintings greatly manipulate the truth; photographs show the reality of the situation.
4. Why is 1905 such a turning point in Japanese and World history? How might history have been different had Japan lost the Russo-Japanese War 1905 was a turning point in Japanese and World History because it marked the year when Russia achieved its victory against Japan. With this, Japan was able to gain enormous confidence in themselves, building their stance that led to their participation in WW2. The bombing of Pearl Harbor would not have been in effect without their victory; the credibility of the miliatirists would ahve been defeated and a more civil government would have taken the reins of power in Japan. Hence, if they lost the Russo-Japanese war, it is very probable that they might not have participated in WW2, let alone bomb Pearl Harbor.
09 May, 2011 Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath 1. How are these documents alike? Be specific in showing exactly how they are similar. Both the Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath of 1896 were documents, created to modernize Korea and Japan, respectively. They both introduced many ideas: declaring their country as independent from others, justifying the rights of higher individuals, only granting the permission to study for those with talent and abolishing the class system.
2. How are these documents different?Be specific in showing how exactly they are different. While both the Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath of 1896 outlined the rights of the ruling class, the former placed the King (and not the Yangban elite) at the top of the governmental pyramid, only allowing him to control the government while the latter allowed deliberative assemblies to intervene, decide and discuss in public matters. Also, while the Koreans made it obligatory for all male citizens to enlist in the army, the Japanese did not.
3. What, ultimately, is their purpose? Their purpose was to design an oath and charter that would reform their country into modernization.
4. These were very lofty goals for both people to try to achieve. To what degree do you feel the Koreans and the Japanese were able to achieve their objectives? In comparing the Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath to the present day societies, I could find many similarities, hinting at the success of both charters. The Gabo Reform Edicts declared Korea as a sovereign country, the abolishment of a hierarchal society and an obligational military, enlisting all males of the country - all that can be seen in the present day of Korea. However, clauses 2 and 3 - only the King in control of the government and only allowing those with talent to study - were different. Since the edict, Korea has established a democratic government that allows various parties and systems to discuss and achieve a census among themselves to lay a decision, rather than letting one individual make it. Additionally, #2 has not been achieved in that all citizens receive the rights and opportunity to study. Although it is against the law to publicly degrade someone in light of their job/sex/age, etc., many people look down upon jobs such as leather work, construction and farming - laborious jobs. Meanwhile, the Japanese have been able to accomplish all of their goals. While Japan still has an emperor, Japan remains as a constitutional monarchy, enabling its citizens to have a say in the government. 12 May, 2011 Notes on Queen Min Questions of Reading #1 a. Who was Queen Min?: Queen Min was born in 1851 from a powerless family and married King Gojong at the age of 14. The King's father, Dae-won gun didnt want a queen with a powerful background so that he wouldnt be challenged, thus allowing the marriage between Queen Min and Gojong. She had a strong influence in the government.
b. Why was she chosen to be queen? She was chosen to be queen because the King's family sought out for a powerless noble family that wouldn't control the King's power.
c. Was this a wise choice? From whose viewpoint? Japanese people against the Westernization fo Korea disliked her while the lower citizens supported her because of Westernization ideas. She became a prime target of a military mutiny - the Kapsin coup.
d. How did she try to maintain Korea's independence? Did she succeed? She tried to maintain Korea's independence by rivaling Russia and Japan.
e. What can her death tell us about the measures imperialists will take to ensure theirinterests? The imperialists got rid of icons that would increase nationalism in the country. As Queen Min was a nationalistic icon of Korea, the imperialists successfully murdered Queen Min. As a result, the Koreans couldn't come together upon the situation to create a rebellion.
Questions for Reading #2 a. Who was**Isabella Bird**?: As a renown writer and an avid traveller to foreign nations, especially in East Asia. She visited Korea when Korea was under Queen Min's control.
b. What were Ms. Bird's first impressions of Queen Min? Her impression was that Queen Min had grace and novelty, and regal as a queen. A nice looking woman with cold eyes - a charismatic leader.
c. What might the clothes and jewelry worn by Queen Min tell us about her view ofher place in Korean society? Because she was wearing a lot of formalized clothing and jewelry, Ms.Bird was able to determine her as an influential being in Korea. d. Which personal characteristics of the Queen tell us about what kind of woman shewas? Isabella Bird repeatedly discusses the Queen's beauty and as intelligent, kind and beautiful. She might have used her beauty to power, using it to sway influential figures in the government. 12 May, 2011 The Last One Hundred Years of the Chosun Dynasty TimelineJane (Youn-Jeong) SongAsian Studies 10D14 May, Saturdayhttp://www.dipity.com/jsong/The-Last-One-Hundred-Years-of-the-Chosun-Dynasty/ Works Cited "A New Relationship." Korean History Project - "Where the Past Is Always Present" Web. 11 May 2011. "JAPAN ANXIOUS FOR A FIGHT. - The Chinese Are Slow and Not in Good Shape to Go to War. - View Article - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 30 July 1894. Web. 11 May 2011. "Kicking in the Door." Korean History Project - "Where the Past Is Always Present"Web. 11 May 2011. "Rebels with a Cause." Korean History Project - "Where the Past Is Always Present"Web. 11 May 2011. "Taewongun." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 May 2011.
"Tonghak Rebellion ." KoreanHistory.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2011.
Photographs "The First Sino-Japanese War. Web." SinoJapanese War. 12 May 2011. "The Treaty of Kangwha." Korean History Project Web. 11 May 2011. "TaewonGun." Korean History Project. Web. 12 May 2011.
04 May, 2011 The Sino-Japanese War
1. How are the Chinese soldiers portrayed in these prints? The Japanese soldiers?
In the prints, the Chinese soldiers are portrayed as short and chubby men while the Japanese soldiers as tall, lean and young men. In many of the prints, the Chinese are in despair and in shock in either form or way, shown by the gaping faces of the Chinese. In some photographs, the Chinese are also portrayed as Oriental and supernatural figures, such as a dragon. Meanwhile, unlike the Chinese, the Japanese are shown as victorious, valiant and courageous. While the two are both in battle, only the Chinese are hurt, while the Japanese are the ones taking over control.
2. Look at the weapons used by each side, are they different? How? Does this tell us anything about Japanese technological advancement?
While the Japanese are using bayonets, the Chinese are still using swords for battle. While the Japanese were technologically advancing, borrowing the ideas of the Westerners, the Chinese were still utilizing old fashioned swords and spears. In "the War at Sea" section, the Japanese drive warships while the Chinese, rowboats made of wood. In the end, we can see the Chinese raising their hands in surrender, showing their defeat to the Japanese.
3. Why do sports often become symbolic battlegrounds between nations?
Sports such as baseball and soccer are national sports that arouse nationalism among citizens. As such, it serves as a symbol for national strength, and many countries compete with one another to gain superiority. It becomes important to the people of a nation to win because winning or losing determines the spirit and nationalism of the citizens for the country. During the WorldCup season or the Olympics, the citizens of a country unite together, cheering their hearts out for their respective countries. The experience of witnessing their team beat another in the arena of sport tremendously increases ones self confidence and as an ego booster.
4. Is imperialism/colonialism simply about militarily and politically controlling another nation, or is it also about proving one’s self-perceived cultural superiority over another?
I think imperialism/colonialism is about proving one's self-perceived cultural superiority over one another. For example, when the Japanese occupied Korea, they destroyed Korea's culture by forbidding the Koreans to speak their language and enforcing only Japanese to be spoken among the Koreans. In a way, the reason why Koreans were so heated up by the Japanese's actions was because they were destroying their culture, their language, their source that once tied them together. Without language, a nation falls apart and becomes subject to the imperialist power.
07 May, 2011 The Russo Japanese War
1. Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the heroics of war better?
Yes, artistic renditions/photographs are able to depict the heroics of war better. Many heroes stand out by symbolic alterations: enlarging the character and placing him/her in the center. At almost all times, the heros have on broad smiles that represent their victory against their opponents. In the Throwing Off Asia III woodblock, the first photograph is of citizens waving, congratulating and welcoming the return of the heroes from battle. Just by the Japanese flags and the heat and cheer of the crowd, we are able to recognize them as heros. The capiton below says : "Tikoku Banzai!" - "Long Live the Empire!".
2. Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the horrors of war better? (Consider all photographs of war that you have seen, both historical and contemporary)
When we look at pictures/photographs of foes and enemies, we can almost always see them depicted as weak, monster-like, horrendous and gruesome. Most of these artistic works are used as propaganda - to make seem one's country better than another by making significant changes to the characters.Yes, I believe that artistic renditions/photographs depict the horrors of war better than reality. What we see is overly exaggerated,making the defeat for the foes seem more pitiful and gruesome than what it actually is.
3. How does the medium affect the message? Can we say that, "[T]he medium is the message"
Yes, the medium does affect the message. Most times, the government manipulates the message for propaganda usages. Sometimes, cartoons or paintings greatly manipulate the truth; photographs show the reality of the situation.
4. Why is 1905 such a turning point in Japanese and World history? How might history have been different had Japan lost the Russo-Japanese War
1905 was a turning point in Japanese and World History because it marked the year when Russia achieved its victory against Japan. With this, Japan was able to gain enormous confidence in themselves, building their stance that led to their participation in WW2. The bombing of Pearl Harbor would not have been in effect without their victory; the credibility of the miliatirists would ahve been defeated and a more civil government would have taken the reins of power in Japan. Hence, if they lost the Russo-Japanese war, it is very probable that they might not have participated in WW2, let alone bomb Pearl Harbor.
09 May, 2011 Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath
1. How are these documents alike? Be specific in showing exactly how they are similar.
Both the Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath of 1896 were documents, created to modernize Korea and Japan, respectively. They both introduced many ideas: declaring their country as independent from others, justifying the rights of higher individuals, only granting the permission to study for those with talent and abolishing the class system.
2. How are these documents different?Be specific in showing how exactly they are different.
While both the Gabo Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath of 1896 outlined the rights of the ruling class, the former placed the King (and not the Yangban elite) at the top of the governmental pyramid, only allowing him to control the government while the latter allowed deliberative assemblies to intervene, decide and discuss in public matters.
Also, while the Koreans made it obligatory for all male citizens to enlist in the army, the Japanese did not.
3. What, ultimately, is their purpose?
Their purpose was to design an oath and charter that would reform their country into modernization.
4. These were very lofty goals for both people to try to achieve. To what degree do you feel the Koreans and the Japanese were able to achieve their objectives?
In comparing the Reform Edicts and the Charter Oath to the present day societies, I could find many similarities, hinting at the success of both charters. The Gabo Reform Edicts declared Korea as a sovereign country, the abolishment of a hierarchal society and an obligational military, enlisting all males of the country - all that can be seen in the present day of Korea. However, clauses 2 and 3 - only the King in control of the government and only allowing those with talent to study - were different. Since the edict, Korea has established a democratic government that allows various parties and systems to discuss and achieve a census among themselves to lay a decision, rather than letting one individual make it. Additionally, #2 has not been achieved in that all citizens receive the rights and opportunity to study. Although it is against the law to publicly degrade someone in light of their job/sex/age, etc., many people look down upon jobs such as leather work, construction and farming - laborious jobs.
Meanwhile, the Japanese have been able to accomplish all of their goals. While Japan still has an emperor, Japan remains as a constitutional monarchy, enabling its citizens to have a say in the government.
12 May, 2011 Notes on Queen Min
Questions of Reading #1
a. Who was Queen Min?:
Queen Min was born in 1851 from a powerless family and married King Gojong at the age of 14. The King's father, Dae-won gun didnt want a queen with a powerful background so that he wouldnt be challenged, thus allowing the marriage between Queen Min and Gojong. She had a strong influence in the government.
b. Why was she chosen to be queen?
She was chosen to be queen because the King's family sought out for a powerless noble family that wouldn't control the King's power.
c. Was this a wise choice? From whose viewpoint?
Japanese people against the Westernization fo Korea disliked her while the lower citizens supported her because of Westernization ideas. She became a prime target of a military mutiny - the Kapsin coup.
d. How did she try to maintain Korea's independence? Did she succeed?
She tried to maintain Korea's independence by rivaling Russia and Japan.
e. What can her death tell us about the measures imperialists will take to ensure their interests?
The imperialists got rid of icons that would increase nationalism in the country. As Queen Min was a nationalistic icon of Korea, the imperialists successfully murdered Queen Min. As a result, the Koreans couldn't come together upon the situation to create a rebellion.
Questions for Reading #2
a. Who was **Isabella Bird**?:
As a renown writer and an avid traveller to foreign nations, especially in East Asia. She visited Korea when Korea was under Queen Min's control.
b. What were Ms. Bird's first impressions of Queen Min?
Her impression was that Queen Min had grace and novelty, and regal as a queen. A nice looking woman with cold eyes - a charismatic leader.
c. What might the clothes and jewelry worn by Queen Min tell us about her view of her place in Korean society?
Because she was wearing a lot of formalized clothing and jewelry, Ms.Bird was able to determine her as an influential being in Korea.
d. Which personal characteristics of the Queen tell us about what kind of woman she was?
Isabella Bird repeatedly discusses the Queen's beauty and as intelligent, kind and beautiful. She might have used her beauty to power, using it to sway influential figures in the
government.
12 May, 2011 The Last One Hundred Years of the Chosun Dynasty TimelineJane (Youn-Jeong) SongAsian Studies 10D14 May, Saturday http://www.dipity.com/jsong/The-Last-One-Hundred-Years-of-the-Chosun-Dynasty/
Works Cited
"A New Relationship." Korean History Project - "Where the Past Is Always Present" Web. 11 May 2011.
"JAPAN ANXIOUS FOR A FIGHT. - The Chinese Are Slow and Not in Good Shape to Go to War. - View Article - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 30 July 1894. Web. 11 May 2011.
"Kicking in the Door." Korean History Project - "Where the Past Is Always Present"Web. 11 May 2011.
"Rebels with a Cause." Korean History Project - "Where the Past Is Always Present"Web. 11 May 2011.
"Taewongun." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 May 2011.
"Tonghak Rebellion ." KoreanHistory.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2011.
Photographs
"The First Sino-Japanese War. Web." SinoJapanese War. 12 May 2011.
"The Treaty of Kangwha." Korean History Project Web. 11 May 2011.
"TaewonGun." Korean History Project. Web. 12 May 2011.